Casillas suffered the heart attack in May 2019 while at Porto and has not played since. Less than three weeks later, his wife Sara Carbonero announced that she had ovarian cancer and was to undergo treatment.

A Madrid legend, Iker Casillas is the best goalkeeper in Real Madrid’s history and in the history of Spanish football. His impressive sporting career has been recognised with the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports, the Royal Order of Sports Merit and the Community of Madrid’s Gold Medal.

I needed to feel as a different player, to have a new atmosphere and environment and to leave that spotlight and criticism behind so that I could improve. That’s right folks, every player —no matter if he’s good or bad— wants to improve and in order to do that you can improve physically and mentally.

Former Real Madridgoalkeeper Iker Casillasis returning to the club to take up a role within its foundation, the 13-times European champions announced in a statement on Tuesday. “Iker Casillas is a Real Madrid legend who represents the values of our club and is the best goalkeeper in our history.”

With 167 international caps, Casillas has the second most appearances for the Spain national team, making him the joint tenth-most capped footballer of all time. In 2014, Casillas became one of four players to represent Spain at four World Cups.

Casillas began his career in Real Madrid’s youth system, known as La Fábrica, during the 1990–91 season. On 27 November 1997, at age 16 and still a junior, he was first called up to the senior team squad to face Rosenborg in the UEFA Champions League, although he remained on the bench throughout.

At club level, Casillas started his career with the Real Madrid youth team, eventually gaining promotion to the main team in 1999, where he became the youngest goalkeeper to play in the final of the Champions League, and to win the title, at 19 years and four days.

Casillas also led Spain to their first World Cup win in 2010, where he kept a joint–record five clean sheets, winning the Yashin Award for the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

Between 2004 and 2008, Casillas dated beauty pageant winner Eva González. Since 2009, Casillas has been in a relationship with sports journalist Sara Carbonero. Their son Martín was born on 3 January 2014 in Madrid. In November 2015, the couple announced they were expecting their second child.